GIEL Topic 1.1 (relationship between people and nature in their neighbourhoods)

relationship between people and nature

mutually dependent on each other and mutually affect each other

impacts of nature on people (positive)

1. lowering air temperature

2. remove pollutants

3. provide space for recreation

impacts of nature on people (negative)

1. wildlife harming people

2. environmental protection which limits development

positive impacts of nature on people : lowering air temperature

• Provides shade and reduces the amount of direct sunlight that reaches the surface 

• Cools the surrounding air through evapotranspiration as the water that plants absorb through their roots is released into the air as water vapour → process uses heat from surrounding, hence cooling it 

positive impacts of nature on people : remove pollutants

• During photosynthesis, vegetation absorbs co2 and other air pollutants and releases o2 

• Small particles are intercepted by leaves, which are washed to the ground when it rains

• Wetland plants can trap suspended materials and absorb excess nutrients in water → improving water quality 

positive impacts of nature on people : provide space for recreation

• Nature areas offer alot of opportunities for outdoor activities

• Direct and frequent interactions with nature can bring about health and wellbeing benefits to people

negative impacts of nature on people : wildlife harming people

Increase in human - wildlife encounters 

→ people who may not know how to deal with animals may unintentionally provoke them, leading to attacks

→ animals may be confused and fearful when venturing into city, increasing likelihood of attacks 

→ reasons :

1. Greening efforts by state 

   • Sg aims to bring nature back into city 

   • Promoting human-wildlife encounters

2. People’s growing interest in outdoor recreation

   • People are spending more time in nature areas → increasing frequency of interaction

3. Urban expansion

   • singapore continues to urbanise and develop → cause natural habitats to shrink 

   • Wildlife may venture into city areas in search of food, shelter

negative impacts of nature on people : environmental protection limit development

• Some people in local communities think that protection of nature is done at the expense of their needs

• Example : cross island mrt line was proposed to be built around the central catchment nature reserve to protect largest primary rainforest 

  • residents afraid that this would bring them inconvenience, damage their property and result in their homes being acquired to make way 

  • nature reserve home to many critically endangered species, and the construction of cross island mrt line may damage their habitat, affecting survival

impacts of people on nature (positive)

1. community activities that promote the importance of environmental protection

impacts of people on nature (negative)

1. soil erosion and damaging vegetation

2. worsening pollution and disturbing wildlife

positive impacts of people on nature : community activities that promote the importance of environmental protection

Local communities can raise awareness about the value of nature areas through encouraging positive behaviour that does not damage nature

• Example : NParks citizen science initiative (dragonfly watch), trains participants to identify different dragonfly species at their assigned sites → greater protection of the species by raising awareness of their importance 

• Local communities can organise or participate in conservation efforts

clean up programmes to remove pollutants from the environment help restore natural habitats and provide a healthy environment for species to thrive

• Example : waterways cleanup programme organised by waterways watch society creates opportunities for schools to pick up trash from the marina reservoir 

negative impacts of people on nature : cause soil erosion and damage vegetation

When people hike along non-designated trails : 

• they may cause soil compaction which prevents rainwater from infiltrating the surface → higher surface flows and soil erosion as the flowing water washes away the soil particles 

• may trample on the vegetation, damaging plants and affecting their growth 

• Example : In 2014, human activities led to severe soil erosion and habitat degradation in bukit timah nature reserve → limiting public access to the nature reserve for 2 yrs

negative impacts of people on nature : worsen pollution and disturbing wildlife

• Littering can worsen pollution in natural areas

• Animals can get injured by trash (eg getting cut by metal cans or became entangled with plastic containers and bags) 

• Animals may mistake litter for food and consume them → cs the animals to get hurt and suffer (may lead to death) 

• Feeding wildlife may lead to changes in habits and behaviour of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict may increase when animals associate food with people (sg law prohibits, fine 5k)